‘Reckless driving’: Clovis PD warns parents about e-dirt bikes

CLOVIS, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Clovis Police Department is cracking down on electric dirt bikes, driven by kids, on city streets. They say it’s not only illegal, but very dangerous.

Clovis Officer Jason Gilles believes parents aren’t aware of what they’re buying for their kids. The police department is working on educating the public, and this begins with understanding the difference between an e-bicycle and an e-motorcycle.

“A lot of the issues may be misinformation,” Gilles said.

Gilles explains the three classes of electric bicycles:

• Class 1: reaches up to 20 mph, with no throttle. 
• Class 2: reaches up to 20 mph, with a throttle. 
• Class 3: reaches up to 28 miles per hour, with no throttle.

“Class three bikes aren’t allowed on bicycle trails, but they can travel anywhere else that a normal bicycle would,” Gilles added.

E-bikes look like normal bikes with pedals, but pedal-less e-bikes are classified as electric motorcycles. This is where Gilles says they are seeing violations, primarily young kids, as the motorist.

“Personally, I’ve had a couple of different pursuits with e-motorcycles in excess of 70 miles an hour for reckless driving,” Gilles said.

The types of e-motorcycles Gilles is referring to are considered the same as dirt bikes. In California, they are not allowed on streets, sidewalks, or bike paths. They need to be registered with the DMV to be driven on Off-Highway Vehicle Trails or private property.

Clawson Motorsports sells both e-dirt bikes, strictly for off-roading, and e-motorcycles for street use. Tommy Merriott says their EV and hybrid motorcycles for the road are becoming popular. But e-dirt bikes should be driven with caution.

“It’s a race bike. It’s something to be in a controlled atmosphere, you know, usually under the supervision of somebody that, in case something does something goes wrong, that somebody can help in that situation. If you’re just buying it for your kid, you know, have them get out of your hair. Have them have that transportation that might not necessarily be the right mode of transportation for them,” he said.

Gilles says these e-dirt bikes are mostly sold online, so parents aren’t fully aware of what they’re buying. Right now, the department is taking a proactive, educational approach, but riders could be cited, and their bike will be impounded for 48 hours.